MPG asks ministers to support studios

Last week MPG representatives spoke at a roundtable with the Creative Industries minister, Caroline Dinenage. In a follow-up letter they called for the minister to ensure that some of the 1.57billion cultural package announced earlier this month is made available to recording and rehearsal studios, who closed to protect public health during the pandemic, but who have been excluded from the retail and hospitality grant schemes.

 

Studios have already begun to close their doors, with the legendary Sawmills studio up for sale, and the newly established Piano Rooms in London closing due to the effects of Covid. The majority of studios have been turned down for discretionary grants and business rates relief by their local authorities, including the legendary Dean Street Studios in Soho, and Le Mob Studio in Hammersmith and Fulham. Owner of Le Mob, producer Brendan Lynch (Paul Weller, Primal Scream)  said:

“We have been closed for months, and are still limited in how we can record under social distancing, so we really need some support to recover and keep working”

 

The letter states that 40% of recording studios face closure within 3 months without further support. It also makes the case that support for studios will help the wider economy, as music studios are now able to operate under safety guidelines developed in collaboration with government by the MPG, BPI, AIM and the MU.

Olga FitzRoy, Executive Director, MPG said:

“Our members have done the right thing and closed to protect public health and are now back working safely at reduced capacity. The chancellor said no-one would be punished for doing the right thing, and yet the majority of studios have continued to pay full rent and business rates throughout the crisis. With relatively small grants, the government could save hundreds of businesses and provide a lifeline for musicians, engineers and producers”

The letter is also signed by record label trade bodies, BPI and AIM, and collection society  PRS for Music and the Featured Artists Collective, FAC.

Full letter below:

MPG Letter to Creative Industries Minister 23rd July